Climatic Region: British Type of Climate

Global climate can be classified into twelve categories based on the climatic conditions. This classification is mostly done on the basis of latitude margins, rainfall regime (character of the seasonal distribution of rainfall in a region) and the natural vegetation. One of the global climatic conditions is the British type of climate. This type of climate mainly occurs in the cool temperate western margins at approximately 50 °N and 50 °S of latitude. They are under the impact of the westerlies all around the year. They additionally include the districts of much cyclonic movement which are predominantly connected with Britain, thus they are supposed to be the British sort of environment. But the climate is not only found in Britain but also stretches in the region of Belgium, Netherland, Denmark, Northern and western France, Western Norway and some parts of the Iberian Peninsula. The British type of climate is also referred to as the north west European Maritime climate due to the huge oceanic influence on the temperature and precipitation of this climate.

Economic development in British type of climate

In Britain, most of the forest has been cleared for fuel, timber or agriculture. Only 4% of the original forest is left. The country’s supply of timber was severely depleted during World Wars as imports were difficult during that time the forested region reached as far down as possible at under 5% of Britain’s property surface in 1919.

Lumbering- Lumbering is a process in which trees are cut in a systematic manner for the utilisation of timber and using it for various commercial gains like making buildings.

The deciduous trees found in the British type of climate occur in pure strands and due to the presence of hardwood trees, they are easy to follow the process of lumbering. Lumbering is a primary activity and is quite profitable in the regions of the British type of climate. The presence of conifers softwood on the higher mountains, is easy to cut through modern machines and are transported to the paper and pulp industry and are extensively used in cardboard making.

Industrialisation 

• The regions associated with the British type of climate are highly industrialised with a high standard of living. The industries are associated with the production of chemicals, machinery and textiles
• Fishing is also an important activity in Norway, Britain and British Columbia. Some parts of this region like France, Germany and Britain have mineral-rich regions and hence are heavily industrialised
• Dairy-based industries are also present in Denmark, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Merino wool production is also important in Tasmania and is exported to various textile factories in the world
• Many automobile industries have their headquarters in Germany, this also plays an important role in the economic development of these regions
• Agricultural Development also plays an important role in the economic development of the British types of climates. It includes the following activities
• Market gardening: It is extensively practised in North-west Europe. It includes a small scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops and these are frequently sold directly to the customers and restaurants. A variety of crops are grown on a small area of land (around a few acres) and are sometimes called a truck farm. Market Garden provides a wide range of fresh produce through the local growing season
• Mixed farming- Mixed farming involves growing crops on ploughed land and pastoral farming together. It is practised throughout North-Western Europe. Wheat is the most extensively grown crop among the cereals and the most important animals kept in the mixed farm are cattle
• Sheep rearing- Sheep rearing is also well developed in this climate and some of the best-known sheep breeds like Lincolns, Leicesters and South Downs are also found here and is considered as a chief occupation in New Zealand (Canterbury Plain)

Climatic conditions of British type of climate

• The climatic conditions of the British type of climate comprise moderately warm summers and fairly mild winters
• Rainfall: Rainfall is adequate throughout the year with maximum rainfall in winters
• Temperature: The mean annual temperature usually lies between 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius. Summers are moderately warm and winters are abnormally mild
• Precipitation: The regions associated with the British type of climate receive adequate rainfall throughout the year. Winters receive the maximum rain due to the frontal cyclones due to westerly winds. The Western margin receives the heaviest rainfall whereas the Eastern Canterbury Plains receive slightly less rainfall due to the Rain Shadow effect in this region
• Season: The British type of climate experiences four different types of seasons. These are- long and sunny summer season, autumn season, Winter season with cloudy skies, foggy and misty mornings, and the spring season which is the driest one but also the most refreshing one

Natural vegetation of British type of climate

• The natural vegetation mainly comprises deciduous forest and on the higher mountains, the deciduous trees are replaced by the conifers as the conifers can survive a higher altitude along with lower temperature and poorer soil
• The deciduous trees shed their leaves as soon as the autumn season begins to protect themselves against the winter snow
• The hardwood of deciduous trees is excellent for fuels and industrial purposes
• The trees have great lumbering Value as they occur in pure strands

Distribution of the British type of climate

Northern hemisphere

• As the name suggests, this type of climate is mainly distributed in and around Britain. They stretch from Britain into north-western Europe 
• It also includes the north and West part of France, Belgium, Denmark Western Norway and also northwestern Iberiathe Netherlands. It is also present in North America along the coastlands of British Columbia

Southern hemisphere 

Countries like Tasmania, New Zealand, Southern Chile and Southern Australia comprise this type of climate.

Conclusion 

The British type of climate covers mostly the Western margins which are under the influence of westerlies all around the year. They mainly comprise the regions associated with temperate cyclones (frontal cyclonic activity). This type of climate has been known with different types of names such as British type (due to its typical presence in Britain), North-west European Maritime climate (due to Greater oceanic influence in the regions associated with the British type of climate). This type of climate is distributed in various parts of the world. In Europe, it is present mainly in the North-Western parts of Europe including the countries like France, Belgium, the Netherland and Iberia, Norway and Denmark. In North America, they are present around the coastlands of British Columbia. In the Southern hemisphere, it is present in Chile, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.